PARIS — French carmaker Renault will start manufacturing long-range strike drones under a contract with the country’s Directorate General for Armament, and in partnership with local defense contractor Turgis Gaillard.
Renault confirmed the plans after French trade publication L’Usine Nouvelle reported the carmaker will produce the drones at its factories in Le Mans and Cléon, west of Paris…
Italy faces GCAP warplane price tag topping $21 billion
January 21, 2026
ROME — Italy’s outlay on the design and development of the tri-nation GCAP fighter has tripled from €6 billion to €18.6 billion — or from $7 billion to $21.8 billion — in the last five years, the country’s defense minister has told parliament.
The announcement…
Defense tech startups had their best funding year ever in 2025
January 21, 2026
PARIS — Defense-technology startups had their best funding year ever in 2025, with investors keen to finance autonomous systems and artificial intelligence for the battlefield, according to data from business-intelligence providers that track venture capital funding.
The…
The White House insists all options remain “on the table” regarding Iran, with the Islamic Republic convulsed by nationwide protests. President Donald Trump has threatened to intervene if Tehran’s leadership unleashes greater brutality on demonstrators.
Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Qatar have launched a diplomatic push since Tuesday to de-escalate tensions. The regional allies cautioned…
MILAN – French troops part of the United Nations Interim Force countered a hostile drone in southern Lebanon by deploying French-made jamming rifles that repelled the craft back toward Israel.
Earlier this month, footage circulated on social media showing a group of UNIFIL…
Hands full at home, Iran is seen slowing cyber attacks on UK
January 20, 2026
ROME — Cyber attacks on the U.K. noticeably dropped off during the recent protests in Iran, a senior British defense executive has reported.
Clive Higgins, the CEO of Leonardo UK, said that online bot activity promoting the independence of Scotland from the UK reduced as…
The Marine Corps general tapped to lead U.S. military operations in Latin America told lawmakers Thursday that he stands ready to oversee an expanded presence that began ahead of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro’s capture — but he doesn’t know how long that enhanced focus will last.
If confirmed by the Senate, Lt. Gen. Francis Donovan will take over U.S. Southern Command, replacing Navy…
BERLIN — The European Commission this week formally proposed a €90 billion ($104.4 billion) loan package for Ukraine spanning 2026 and 2027, with a novel condition that Kyiv must prioritize purchasing weapons and military equipment from European manufacturers.
The…
How tiny Singapore ties China and Taiwan in training for war
January 19, 2026
HONG KONG – Military rivals China and Taiwan are both seen as benefiting from military training activities conducted with Singapore, which, in turn, also gains from the cooperation.
China’s People’s Liberation Army and Taiwan’s armed forces are getting tips from…
Saildrone, Lockheed to place missile launchers on naval drones
January 16, 2026
MILAN— Saildrone will equip its unmanned surface vessels with strike missiles made by Lockheed Martin, the drone company announced this week.
The collaboration comes in response to a call by global navies for more armed naval drones, according to Saildrone.
The 20-meter Saildrone Surveyor vessel will boast the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) launcher manufactured by the U.S. defense…
